USAWA

By Eric Todd

Today, the USAWA saw the 11th installment of the Old Time Strongman Championship hosted by KCSTRONGMAN in the megalopolis of Turney, Missouri.  It was the perfect day for such a championship, and the lifting was top shelf.  We had a few competitors drop out for various reasons the week prior to the meet, but luckily, we had a good number of entries, so we had decent numbers even after they withdrew.  We also saw the largest group of lady lifters that this championship has seen.

This championship event started off with the Thor’s hammer.  This one can certainly be a fickle mistress.  You really have to hit the sweet spot to get it to stick at the top.  I cannot tell you how many times I was about to give the down command when the lifter lost control at the top.  Some were able to come back and hit it and some were not.  Dave Deforest had an attempt where he missed it what seemed to be around 400 times at the top, only to hit a good lift with about 3 seconds left.  The cream of the crop was Greg Cook, 2017s OTMS men’s champion, who nailed a lift of 52.5 pounds, which is a mere stone’s throw away from the best lift ever. Chris Todd came in at 40 pounds for a successful 4th attempt for a record.

We then moved on to the Lurich Lift.  This lift is named for Old Time Strongman George Lurich and has not been contested within the OTSM Championship before.  It was run as an exhibition lift in 2017 before being officially accepted as a USAWA lift at the 2018 national meeting.  This one can offer the same challenges for some lifters as the hack lift, which is the bar can get bound up on the hamstrings.  Our two younger ladies, Phoebe and Lilly Todd both went 200 and more on this discipline, while Stacy Todd hit the high mark of 360 for the women’s division.  In the men’s class it was all Chad Ullom, who broke his own all-time record mark with a 610 pound effort. Dave DeForest had what appeared to be his very top end pull at 430 before passing away briefly on the platform.  Everett Todd hit a personal best 190 at only nine years old.  Leroy Todd hit a successful 175 on a fourth attempt.

We then broke for lunch where we dined on barbeque pork sandwiches, which were prepared by Stacy Todd, and potato chips.

After the lunch break, the lifting resumed with the Anderson Press, which is named after Paul Anderson.  In the Women’s division Lilly and Phoebe Todd hit an impressive 85 pounds apiece.  Stacy hit a record 4th attempt of 110.  Chris Todd edged Greg Cook for the top lift in the men’s division with a 220 pound effort before hitting 240 for a record fourth attempt.   Leroy Todd also hit a successful 70 pounds as a fourth attempt.

Our last lift of the day was the Dinnie Lift.  This lift is named after Donald Dinnie and the lifting stones he supposedly carried.  The top lift in the women’s division was 360 by stacy Todd.  She then went on to take a successful 4th attempt at 400.  Lilly Todd also had a successful fourth attempt with 225.  Chad was again the top lifter with a successful pull at 800 pounds, which is well above what the real Dinnie Stones weigh.  Side note-Chad has successfully lifted the Dinnie Stones on more than one occasion. Lance Foster came in lean and mean, having lost over 60 pounds, and hit a successful 475 on a fourth attempt.

The lifting was fantastic, and many records were broken.  The following lifters set records in all four disciplines:

Everett Todd

Leroy Todd

Phoebe Todd

Lilly Todd

Stacy Todd

Chris Todd

Dave DeForest

Greg Cook

Official results are as follow:

Old Time Strongman Championship
ET’s House of Iron and Stone
Turney, MO
September 10, 2022

Meet Director: Eric Todd

Meet Announcer: Eric Todd

Score Keeper: Chris Todd

Maker of barbeque: Stacey Todd

The One Official system was used for all lifts

Official: Eric Todd

Loaders: Eric Todd and all lifters

All lifts are recorded in pounds, as is the total. Adj is the adjusted score after Lynch and Age adjustment.  All records are denoted with an asterisk *

Lifts: Thor’s hammer, Lurich Lift, Anderson Press, and Dinnie Lift

Results are as follows:

Name	age	age division	weight	weight class	Thor’s hammer	Lurich Lift	Anderson Press	Dinnie Lift	Total	Adj	Place
Women’s Division
Phoebe Todd	12	13	121	55	10*	225*	85*	245*	565	934	1
Stacy Todd	39	Open	179	85	20*	360*	105*	360*	825	786	2
Lillian Todd	13	13	134	65	10*	200*	85*	210*	505	727	3
Men’s Division
Chad Ullum	50	50	221	105	30	610*	95*	800*	1535	1441	1
Greg Cook	65	65	244	115	52.5*	495*	200*	550*	1297.5	1313	2
Dave DeForest	62	60	192	90	27.5*	430*	160*	400*	1017.5	1144	3
Everett Todd	9	13	82	40	7.5*	190*	60*	175*	432.5	1033	4
Leroy Todd	11	13	89	45	7.5*	165*	65*	200*	437.5	955	5
Chris Todd	43	40	273	125	35*	340*	220*	600*	1195	944	6
Lance Foster	56	55	275	125	30*	0	85*	400*	515	456	7

With her third overall win, Phoebe Todd ties Heather Gardner/Tully as the winningest female in these championships.  With his third win, Chad Ullom steps out all by himself as the winningest male in these championships.

By Bill Clark

August 20-21, 2022.  Clark’s Gym, Columbia, Mo.

The entries – and their data. (All are from Clark’s Gym but may live elsewhere. All  entries are eligible for records except Lucas Hardie.)

Janet Thompson, 64 – 160 bwt. (75 kilo class)

Nick Frieders, 21 – 155 bwt. (75 kilo class)

Travis Luther, 29 – 172 Bwt. (80 kilo class)

Lucas Hardie, 38 – 196 Bwt. (90 kilo class) – From Nova Scotia via email. Not eligible for records.

Abe Smith, 40 – 184 Bwt. (85 kilo class) Raymore, Mo.

Tony Lupo, 56 – 237 Bwt. (110 kilo class)

Dave DeForest, 62 – 187 Bwt. (85 kilo class)

Randy Smith, 67 – 197.5  Bwt. (90 kilo class) Marquette, Michigan.

Joe Garcia, 69 – 191 Bwt. (90 kilo class) DeWitt, Iowa.

Joe Caron, 76 – 184.5 Bwt. (85 kilo class) Iola, Kansas

Bill Clark, 90 – 205 Bwt. (95 kilo class)

THE BIRTHDAY CHALLENGE – 11 EVENTS, EACH DECIDED SEPARATELY

The Event, the lifter, the actual weight lifted (denoted in Bold) and the value of the lift decided by bwt. and age adjustment. Records denoted with an asterisk (*)

HARNESS LIFT

1 – Travis Luther – 1,500 (1458.45)

2 – Randy Smith – 1,205* (1396.25)

3 – Dave DeForest – 1,205* (1376.17)

4 – Nick Frieders – 1,305 (1359.02)

5 – Abe Smith – 1,405 (1,282.39)

6 – Bill Clark – 800* (1242.98)

7 – Tony Lupo – 1,305 (1242.48)

W – 1- Janet Thompson – 565* (715.29)

DEAD LIFT – HEELS TOGETHER

1 – Nick Frieders – 440 (458.35)

2 – Dave DeForest – 370* (422.55)

3 – Randy Smith – 350* (405.77)

4 – Abe Smith – 440* (402.03)

5 – Tony Lupo – 365 (347.44)

6 – Travis Luther – 350 (340.31)

ZERCHER LIFT

1 – Randy Smith – 335* (388.37)

2 – Nick Frieders – 335 (339.92)

3 – Lucas Hardie – 375 (339.15)

4 – Abe Smith – 355* (324.77)

5 – Dave DeForest – 265* (302.64)

6 – Joe Caron – 155 (212.77)

7 – Tony Lupo – 135 (139.50)

DEADLIFT – ONE HAND (RIGHT)

1 – Nick Frieders – 320 (333.34)

2 – Randy Smith – –280 (324.61)

3 – Lucas Hardie – 309 (303.20)

4 – Abe Smith – 355* (292.70)

5 – Joe Caron – 155 (224.97)

6 – Bill  Clark – 135* (205.24)

7 – Dave DeForest – 185 (204.50)

8 – Tony Lupo – 185 (176.11)

DEADLIFT – ONE HAND (LEFT)

1 – Nick Frieders – 320 (333.34)

2 – Lucas Hardie – 331 (324.84)

3 – Randy Smith – 280* (324.61)

4 – Abe Smith – 320 (292.70)

5 – Dave DeForest – 227* (259.25)

6 – Joe Caron – 175 (234.77)

7 – Bill Clark – 135* (205.12)

8 – Tony Lupo – 185  (176.11)

HIP LIFT

1 – Abe Smith – 1,610* (1472.91)

2 – Travis Luther – 1,500 (1458.45)

3 – Joe Garcia – 1,200* (1422.09)

4 – Nick Frieders – 1,200 (1258.04)

5 – Randy Smith – 1,110* (1206.85)

6 – Tony Lupo – 905 (861.48)

NECK LIFT

1 =- Randy Smith – 335* (370.35)

2 – Abe Smith – 400* (365.94)

3 – Nick Frieders – 245 (255.22)

4 – Tony Lupo – 245 (233.22)

MILLER CLEAN AND JERK

1 – Randy Smith – 85* (123.37)

2 – Abe Smith – 125* (114.10)

3 – Nick Frieders – 85* (86.25)

4 – Travis Luther – 65 (63.22)

5 – Tony Lupo – 65 (61.87)

STEINBORN LIFT

1 – Lucas Hardie – 310 (280.56)

2 – Abe Smith – 275* (251.59)

3 – Randy Smith – 215* (249.25)

4 – Dave DeForest – 185 (209.27)

5 – Nick Frieders – 185 (188.22)

6 – Tony Lupo – 185 (175.11)

HAND AND THIGH LIFT

1 – Abe Smith – 1.005 (919.43)

2 – Dave DeForest – 800* (891.36)

3 – Nick Frieders – 800 (833.36)

4 – Randy Smith – 550 (630.89)

5 – Joe Caron – 365 (493.64)

6 – Tony Lupo – 315 (324.09)

RAMPAGE

This is not a USAWA lift. The results here do count in the final summary of the Birthday Meet. There are no USAWA records for this competition.

The lifter chooses his own weight and then must clean the weight and do repetition presses with the barbell for a period of one minute. The total poundage, not the number of reps, are the deciding factor. The bar must be returned to the chest prior to each rep. No pause is necessary.

1 – Abe Smith – 38 reps with 76 pounds – 2,888 (2618.56)

2 – Randy Smith – 24 reps with 65 pounds – 1,560 (1817.53)

3 – Tony Lupo – 34 reps with 65 pounds – 2,210 (1798.63)

4 – Nick Frieders – 24 reps with 56 pounds – 1,344 (1363.76)

JOHN GRIMEK-TONY COOK AWARD

1 – Abe Smith – 8336.10 points (all 11 events)

2 – Randy Smith – 7237.70 points (11 events)

3 – Nick Frieders – 6809.22 points (11 events)

4 – Tony Lupo – 5535.08 points (11 events)

They were the only four to compete in every event.

INDIVIDUAL LIFT WINNERS:

Abe Smith – 3; Randy Smith -3; Nick Frieders – 3; Travis Luther – 1; Lucas Hardie – 1.

WEIGH-INS WERE HELD  BOTH DAYS. NO CHANGES AFTER SECOND DAY WEIGH-INS

SUCCESSFUL RECORD ATTEMPTS OUTSIDE THE COMPETITION

Joe Caron – 76  Bwt. 178

Deadlift – vertical bar – 2 inch – right hand – 107.5.

Deadlift – vertical bar – 2-inch – left hand – 132.5.

Randy Smith – 67  Bwt. 198

Deadlift – vertical bar – 2-inch  – right – 152.5

Deadlift – vertical bar – 2-inch – left – 152.5

Deadlift – 2-inch barbell – right – 125.

Deadlift – 2-inch barbell – left – 125.

Thor’s Hammer – 42.5.

Abe Smith – 40   Bwt. 185

Deadlift – vertical bar – 2-inch – right – 182.5.

Deadlift – vertical bar – 2-inch – left – 182.5

Dumbbells – clean and push press – 2 x 100.

Clean and press – behind neck – 180.

Clean and press – behind neck – seated – 175.

Janet Thompson – 64  Bwt. 160.

Habecker Lift – 125

Lurich Lift – 145

Peoples’ Deadlift – 200.

Kennedy Lift – 200

Deadlift – Dumbbell – left – 85.

OFFICIALS FOR BOTH DAYS – A THREE-OFFICIAL  MEET

Eric Todd, Bill Clark, Joe Garcia, Abe Smith, Randy Smith, Dave DeForest and Tony Lupo (doing his training prior to certification).

AWARDS PRESENTED BY USAWA SECRETARY, ERIC TODD

Lifter of the Year – Abe Smith.

Courage Award Runner-up – Joe Garcia.

Club of the Year – Clark’s Gym.

NOTES:

# In addition to all the lifting in this part of the weekend, Thompson, DeForest, both Smith’s, Lupo and Frieders lifted in the IAWA postal; three logged their USAWA third quarter postal. It was a busy weekend for sure.

# All the competitors for the weekend plus at least four other local gym members were on hand for the party on Saturday night where they were entertained by a Dixieland Band, and shared a buffet of pulled pork, scalloped potatoes and baked beans and dined with half a dozen retired lifters from around the Midwest. Joe Caron even came dressed in a coat and tie. It was fun meeting with the guys from the past and some still lifting – Dave Hahn, Ken McClain, Wayne Gardner, Ron Sisk and James Foster. Tom Powell was unable to attend, but he helped cover the baked beans. Much appreciated.

The lifters shared the evening with many of Ol’ Clark’s friends from the music and theater world, a number of politicians, birders, etc., even a college president (Stephens College), along with international concert pianists and circuit court judges.

It was a treat for Randy Smith to take the better part of a week off to drive down from Marquette on the shore of Lake Superior on top of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to do head-to-head battle with Abe Smith (no relation) and spend the weekend in the dungy dungeon that is infamous as Clark’s Gym.

Joe Garcia, who suffered a tough three months with covid-19, has made excellent recovery considering the seriousness of his covid attack. He and Cindy came for the birthday dinner from the Garcia home in Iowa, then dropped by the gym the next day and made his first competitive lift in three years – a 1,200-lb, hip lift. He was thrilled. And so were we all. The hand-thigh lift in the competition was dedicated to Joe – who still holds the world mark 1,910 pounds